Chiefs not ready for Prime Time

Johnny Sunchips

If you are a fan of the Kansas City Chiefs, and at the end of the 2012 season you were told that after two-thirds of this campaign that the Chiefs would be 9-3 and in control of their own playoff fate, one would take that in a heart beat. Hell, that's as many wins as the past two seasons combined. With a new coaching staff led by a man who has enjoyed multiple seasons of success, a quarterback with one of the best winning percentages of any starter in the NFL over the past few years, add that to a team who placed six of it's players in last seasons pro bowl..all that from a team that recorded a mere two wins. Sign me up!
 It's not quite in the category of be careful what you wish for, but there are some shortcomings that go along with such a dramatic turnaround.

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The biggest draw back for the Chiefs winning their first nine games were the expectations. They went from not only a potential playoff team, but were also considered a super bowl contender. Their defense was at that time a punishing unit that forced many a turnover, opportunistic, and could get to the quarterback seemingly at will. On offense, Alex Smith was doing what he was brought in to do. Execute and stay away from the big mistakes. Special teams were also solid. All was right in Americas heartland. Then reality set in. In a loss to San Diego and two in three weeks to Peyton Manning and the Broncos, Kansas City is licking their wounds and wondering just what type of team they truly are. From this persons eye looking from the outside in, it seems clear to me. The Chiefs just are not ready at this time to take that next step. Three consecutive weeks they had a chance to at least inch closer to the elite, and three consecutive times have failed. Uncharacteristic turnovers, penalties, dropped passes and the like have plagued them, and at 9-3, it feels almost like 3-9. Maybe it's youth and experience. Maybe they can refocus and finish the season strong, And with four games remaining ( at Washington, at Oakland, home against Indianapolis and at San Diego) making the tournament is not going to be easy. Not for an emotionally fractured team. If they advance, it will be earned, that is for sure.